Mining industry in Oman offers great potential

Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, attended the Mineral and Mining Exhibition and Conference.

Mining and minerals sector in Oman offers great potential, which can be utilised effectively if certain challenges are addressed, said experts.

The challenges and opportunities in the mining sector were discussed at the first Oman Minerals and Mining Exhibition and Conference held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

Commenting on the regulatory environment in Oman, Rob Willis, geologist, Mawarid Mining, said government processes have not been streamlined for mining and multiple entities are involved in licensing applications.

A one-stop-shop is a simpler system, he said during a speech at the conference, in which he reviewed the activities of Mawarid Mining, the first privately-owned copper mining company in Oman.

Antony Benham, chief operating officer at the International Geoscience Services (IGS), briefed the participants on the multiplying effect of geoscience investment in a country. There is a widely accepted association between geological knowledge and economic growth, he noted.

State organisations

Benham also discussed the role of state organisations in promoting mineral exploration, saying that a state-owned organisation is normally the national custodian of geological data for the country.

Its ultimate role is to create wealth through the minerals sector by making the country competitive and attractive for exploration investment and contribute to economic growth by creating jobs in the minerals sector and have a ‘trickle-down’ effect into society, he added.

It also seeks to improve the quality of life through the interaction of geoscience and the environment, he added.

Reliable geodata

In addition, Benham said availability of reliable geodata is as important as a stable fiscal and legislative regime. “Geodata needs to be modern, relevant, as detailed as possible and available in the right format,” he said, adding that an efficient mines cadastre system is important to show flexibility and transparency and balance the needs of state and companies.

Oman is well-positioned to attract significant new exploration in country by developing the role of the Public Authority for Mining, the expert stated.

Port of Duqm

Reggy Vermeulen, chief executive officer of the Port of Duqm Company, spoke about the project in the Port of Duqm for the mineral industry, saying that Duqm’s advantages include proximity to the (new) minerals concessions and direct road access between Duqm and the mines. He also said the development of the mining industry in Oman will further highlight the role of the upcoming railway project.

source: Times of Oman